counsel

[ˈkaʊnsəl]

counsel Definition

  • 1advice, especially that given formally
  • 2a lawyer or group of lawyers who give legal advice and represent a person or organization in court
  • 3the act of discussing something with someone to get their advice or opinion

Using counsel: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "counsel" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    I sought counsel from my parents before making the decision.

  • Example

    The company hired a team of legal counsel to handle the case.

  • Example

    She counseled him to be patient and wait for the right opportunity.

  • Example

    He is seeking counsel for his personal problems.

counsel Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using counsel

  • to keep one's thoughts, opinions, or plans to oneself

    Example

    He kept his own counsel about the project until it was completed.

  • to make decisions based on fear rather than reason

    Example

    She took counsel of her fears and decided not to pursue the opportunity.

  • counsel for the defense/prosecution

    the lawyer or group of lawyers who represent the defendant/plaintiff in a court case

    Example

    The counsel for the defense argued that there was insufficient evidence to convict the defendant.

Phrases with counsel

  • professional guidance for couples who are experiencing problems in their relationship

    Example

    They went to marriage counseling to work through their issues.

  • a lawyer or group of lawyers who provide legal advice and representation

    Example

    The defendant was provided with legal counsel for the trial.

  • advice or actions that are likely to lead to a negative outcome

    Example

    His decision to quit his job without a backup plan was a counsel of despair.

Origins of counsel

from Old French 'conseil', from Latin 'consilium', meaning 'advice'

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Summary: counsel in Brief

The term 'counsel' [ˈkaʊnsəl] refers to advice given formally, often by a lawyer or group of lawyers. It can also refer to the act of discussing something with someone to get their advice or opinion. Examples include 'I sought counsel from my parents before making the decision.' and 'The company hired a team of legal counsel to handle the case.' Phrases like 'marriage counseling' and idioms like 'keep one's own counsel' further illustrate the concept.

How do native speakers use this expression?